Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney is seeking a meeting with the United Kingdom government over the use of Prestwick Airport by United States military aircraft involved in operations linked to Israel and Iran. The request follows reports that refuelling planes stopped in Scotland before flying on to the Middle East.

Three United States Air Force Stratotankers travelled from California to Prestwick in mid February before continuing to Saudi Arabia and then deploying to Israel. Since early March, the aircraft appear to have operated from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, conducting multiple missions and intermittently switching off tracking transponders as they headed east toward Iran.

Defence analyst Marcus said the aircraft are likely refuelling both American and Israeli jets as part of a coordinated campaign. He noted that while Israel’s strike capability is comparable in scale, it has fewer refuelling aircraft, making American support a significant force multiplier in sustaining pressure on Iran.

Prestwick Airport has frequently been used as a transit point for United States military cargo and refuelling aircraft travelling between North America, Europe and the Middle East, placing renewed focus on Scotland’s role in international military operations.